Ecstasy (MDMA) is a synthetic, mind-altering drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to methamphetamine, which is known to cause brain damage. Ecstasy is known as a "club drug" and can cause serious health problems and in rare instances, even death. Many drug abusers take a combination of drugs, including alcohol, which may further increase the damage.

Physical Effects

For most users a "hit" of ecstasy lasts for 3 to 6 hours. Once the pill is swallowed, it takes only about 15 minutes to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. Within 45 minutes, a user experiences a peak level (high). It's downhill from there, unless the user takes more. Even if the user takes only one pill, the side effects of ecstasy can include feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, and memory difficulties and can last for several days to a week or longer in regular users.

Initially, users might feel very alert or "hyper", but as time goes on the user may experience distortions in time and other changes in perception, such as an enhanced sense of touch. Some, however become anxious and agitated, sweating and chills may occur along with a feeling of dizziness and faintness.

Users can also become dehydrated through vigorous activity in a hot environment and ecstasy can interfere with the body's ability to regulate its temperature, which can cause dangerous overheating. This, in turn, can lead to serious heart, kidney, liver problems or death. Ecstasy is extremely dangerous in high doses, or when multiple small doses are taken within a short period of time, to maintain a high. Its effects can cause muscle tension, clenching of teeth, nausea, blurred vision, fainting, and an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. It can cause confusion, depression, sleep problems, intense fear, and anxiety.